Former Cincy mayor launches super PAC to harness Trump enthusiasm

COLUMBUS - Former Cincinnati Mayor Ken Blackwell has launched a political action committee to defend President Donald Trump's ideals in the Buckeye State.

Blackwell's new super PAC, Defend US PAC, will focus on Ohio's gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races in 2018. At least four Republicans are interested in running for governor. Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has already announced he is running for U.S. Senate – and embraced some of Trump's tone.

Blackwell, who lost his 2006 bid for Ohio governor, said he could have jumped into the U.S. Senate race but decided against it.

"Ohio is changing and I am going to devote my energy to harnessing the passion that led President Donald J. Trump to an eight-point victory in our state," Blackwell said in a news release.

Blackwell most recently served on Trump's transition team and oversaw changes at nine federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services. He is a former Ohio secretary of state.